Olympic breaking: Moroccan B-Girl El Mamouny chasing historic gold

B-Girl El Mamouny clinching the 2023 African title crowned a hugely successful event for Morocco, as her compatriot Bilal Mallakh – known as B-Boy Billy – booked his place in the men’s event at Paris 2024.

The pair became the first qualifiers for the sport’s inaugural appearance at the Olympics.

Watching on with pride was Selma Bennani, president of Morocco’s Federation for Aerobic, Fitness, Hip Hop and Related Sports, which encompasses breaking.

Having studied aerobic sport in the United States, she brought her knowledge back to Morocco 28 years ago, and could only dream that one day one of her passions might become an Olympic sport.

“I’m not just proud, I’m excited, overwhelmed with happiness, because hip hop and breaking have been my fight since the founding of this federation,” Bennani told BBC Sport Africa.

“We are in Morocco. The culture of hip hop comes from the USA, from the Bronx, and it was born in the streets.

“The youngsters of the Bronx wanted to express themselves via a dance. So they created the battles – talking to each other through physical dance, and expressing their feelings, but also expressing hope in life.

“And that’s why the slogan of breaking is peace and love. That’s something I love.”

So how could Morocco, a Muslim country steeped in very different traditions and cultural values, be at the forefront of promoting breaking?

“Moroccan society did not accept it 28 years ago,” Bennani explained.

“I was young and I’m a woman. Hip hop culture, graffiti, rap – it’s a man’s culture. So it was very difficult.

“I had lots of rejection, I couldn’t have any partners or sponsorship. The Ministry of Sport didn’t care about it.

“So I’m not just proud. This is a war that I won.”

Bennani has further used her position to encourage women across the region to get involved in the sport – not just with participation but also as a means of education and possibly employment.

For her, being in Paris, will be emotional.

“I will definitely be crying seeing the Moroccan flag and seeing my two athletes and their trainers there,” she said.

“It’s a win for all African countries. We are going as the Moroccan kingdom but also as part of the whole continent.”